Dear friends,

Not only is Christmas upon us, but the New Year is fast approaching as well.  As we reflect on the coming new year, envisioning our goals, dreams, and purpose, I invite you to listen to the song, “Mary, Did You Know,” on YouTube, HERE or click on the image below.

I love this song.  It’s one of my favorite Christmas songs.  A mother myself, I wonder how Mary must have felt, holding and caring for baby Jesus, the King of Kings.

The Bible tells us that Mary knew she was giving birth to the Son of God.

“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:30-33

But did she really know what all her role would entail?  Did she know that her son would perform miracles and save lives?  Did she know that he would endure persecution and mockery?  Did she know she would one day have to watch him suffer, dying a painful death on a cross?

Mary was a humble servant.  Joseph was a simple carpenter.  Before the angels appeared to them, telling them of God’s great purpose for their lives, I’ll bet never in their wildest of dreams did they imagine God would use them in such a mighty way. 

Who were they to raise a King?  They had nothing.  No wealth.  No great social stature.  They rode into Bethlehem on a single donkey, and Mary gave birth in a stable filled with animals.  It was probably dirty, smelly, and noisy.

And yet, God had a purpose.  He had a reason to use such humble, lowly beginnings to tell the greatest story of all time. 

But His story didn’t even start there…

From the very beginning, God has used humble servants to carry out His divine purpose for us.  Jacob (the weaker of two brothers), Joseph (the youngest of twelve), Moses (a slave), David (a shepherd boy)— the list goes on.

The Bible shows us many times how God has used “lesser” individuals in order to manifest His great power.  Among their peers, these people were considered the very last to be chosen by God to do His great works.  But God chose them so that we and others may see how it was only with God, by His grace and power, that these servants were able to accomplish the mission He prepared for them. 

Mathew 20:16, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

2^nd Corinthians 12:19, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Would Moses have been able to part the Red Sea by himself?  I think not.  Would David have been able to strike down Goliath with his own strength?  I highly doubt it.

Only God, The Great I Am, can accomplish more than we could ever imagine possible.     

And what better way to introduce the KING of KINGS, our Savior, as a precious tiny baby of humble beginnings…

What about you?

Do you know God can use you in a mighty way in 2020?  Do you know God has a great purpose for your life?  He just asks us to be humble.  To be willing.  To be broken.  He has amazing plans for you, and I invite you to ask Him what they are. 

Or maybe you’re going through struggles right now.  Maybe you’ve been facing a difficult trial this past year.  Whatever “Red Sea” or “Goliath” you are experiencing right now, I hope you know that God is with you, our Emmanuel, and He will give you His strength, power, and saving grace. 

After all, the Lord of all creation, heaven’s perfect Lamb, came to earth to deliver YOU.

May you have a blessed Christmas and New Year,

Amy

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